Steven Gerrard is delighted to be skipper of a Liverpool side in such a rich vein of form. "It's an absolute privilege to captain this football club at any time but especially when the team is playing the way it is," Gerrard said on the club's official website.

"It makes my job an awful lot easier when you don't have to talk too much to players because they are just doing their jobs without that being needed.

"Confidence is really high right now and we're certainly enjoying playing together. We are playing without fear and without anxiety and I think you're seeing some superb football from us in the last couple of weeks.

"From front to back everyone is pulling in the right direction for the team. The goals are coming and I'm certainly enjoying my football at the moment.

"I'm playing with magnificent players. (Fernando) Torres and myself have had a lot of pats on the back of late but it's important to acknowledge our team-mates who have been fantastic.

"If we keep playing the way we have been over the last three games then it's going to be an exciting finish."